Bow Holder and Bow Cradle

ABSTRACT

An improved bow holder is comprised of a bow cradle, at least one extension member and a base. The preferred bow cradle is comprised of a body, a clamp bed and a pair of L-shaped studs. The clamp bed is pivotally attached to the body. The clamp bed releasably locks to the body such that a fixed angle between the clamp bed and the body may be set. The studs are attached to the clamp bed such that the limb of a bow may be releasably clamped between the studs and the clamp bed. The base is comprised of a stem for insertion into a ground surface and a pair of pedals for applying ground insertion force to the stem. The bow cradle is attached to the base, or if a higher bow holding position is desired, an extension member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/308,295 filed on Mar. 15, 2006, now pending. application Ser. No.11/308,295 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Bow owners use their bows for hunting, target shooting or both. Atypical compound bow is comprised of a pair of limbs, a cam at each endof each limb and a bow string connected to the cams. It is desirable toavoid laying a bow on the ground. The ground may be muddy, wet orcovered with snow. If the bow is laying on the ground it can easily becontaminated by mud, water or snow. It also takes much more time toretrieve a bow laying on the ground and to shoot an arrow at a huntedanimal as compared to shooting an arrow at a hunted animal while the bowis already being grasped by the hunter.

The solution of having the archer continuously holding the bow is alsonot desirable. After a short period of time continuously holding the bowbecomes tiring and boring. Similarly, the solution of temporarilystoring the bow within a storage case is not desirable. Loading andunloading the bow into the storage case is needlessly time-consuming.The case can become muddied, wet, or contaminated by snow or otherdebris. When the bow is stored within a storage case there will usuallybe insufficient time for a hunter to retrieve the bow after a huntedanimal is spotted.

Archers often hunt from within trees. It is impractical to store a bowin a storage case while the archer is in a tree. Likewise, it isimpractical for an archer positioned within a tree to store the bow onany part of the tree structure. Trees do not normally provide surfacesfor securely retaining bows. Even if such a surface could be foundwithin a tree, the delay caused by the procedure required to retrievethe bow and shoot an arrow while hunting would often be unacceptable.

There is a need for an improved bow holder having the followingcharacteristics. It could be mounted on the ground or upon a tree limb.It would hold and keep a bow elevated above the ground or a tree limbupon which it is mounted. Its height would be adjustable so that anarcher could use the bow holder while sitting, standing or squatting. Itwould be easy to store. It would be lightweight and take up minimalspace. It could be quickly assembled. Optionally, it would provide aquiver for holding arrows.

SUMMARY

The improved bow holder described herein has these desirablecharacteristics. A key component of the improved bow holder is a bowcradle. The bow cradle may be attached to a base fixed within theground. It may be attached to a tree mount. Or, it may be attached toone or more extension members wherein a bottom extension member isattached to a base or a tree mount. One embodiment of a bow cradle iscomprised of a body, a guide and a limb rest.

The body has a first mating end at its lower end. The first mating endis shaped and sized to mate with a member having a second mating end.Preferably, the body is a pipe. Preferably, the first mating end of thepipe is the opening at its lower end. The first mating end fits overanother structural member. The other structural member may be a pipeprojecting from the base, the upper end of an extension member or a pipeprojecting from a tree mount. The outside diameter portion of the otherstructural member in such a configuration fits into the inside diameteropening of the body. Thus the lower end of the body is preferably shapedand sized to receive and securely hold a structural member which is apart of the base, a tree mount or an extension member.

The preferred bow cradle is comprised of a body, a clamp bed and atleast one L-shaped stud. At the lower end of the body is a first matingend. The mating end is shaped and sized to mate with a mating memberhaving a second mating end. The clamp bed provides a physical structurefor clamping the bottom of a bow limb. The clamp bed is pivotallyattached to the body. The clamp bed is adapted to be releasably lockedto the body such that a fixed angle between the clamp bed and the bodymay be set. The stud is attached to the clamp bed such that the limb ofa bow may be releasably clamped between the stud and the clamp bed.Preferably, this function is performed by a pair of studs. The areabetween the studs and the clamp bed forms a channel attached to theclamp bed. The channel may be selected from a variety of configurationsso long as it is sized and shaped to releasably clamp a limb of a bowonto the clamp bed.

The body of the bow cradle, in the preferred embodiment, has a pair ofaligned rotational openings proximal to its upper end and a pair ofaligned stabilizing openings also proximal to its upper end. Thestabilizing openings are below the rotational openings. The rotationalopenings facilitate rotation of the clamp bed about the axis of therotational openings. The stabilizing openings facilitate the fixation ofthe orientation of the clamp bed attached to the body.

The clamp bed may be attached to the body by way of a pair of flanges.The flanges perpendicularly extend from the bottom side of the clampbed. The flanges are spaced apart such that the body may fit between theflanges. Each flange has a rotational opening which aligns with therotational pair of aligned openings of the body. This provides an axisof rotation of the flanges about the body. Each flange has a pluralityof stabilizing openings. One stabilizing opening on each flange iscapable of aligning with the pair of aligned stabilizing openings of thebody. This facilitates the setting of the angular orientation of theclamp bed with respect to the body. The flanges are rotationallyattached to the body such that the flanges rotate about the rotationalopenings of the flanges and the body. The flanges are adapted to belocked into a fixed position when a bolt is inserted through a pair ofaligned stabilizing openings of the flanges and the pair of stabilizingopenings of the body.

Each L-shaped stud is threaded at one end. The threads match one or morethreaded openings on the clamp bed. Each stud is sized and shaped toreleasably clamp a limb of a bow between it and the clamp bed.

An alternate embodiment of a bow cradle is comprised of a body, a guideand a limb rest. The guide is shaped and sized to receive and securelyhold a limb of the bow. It may be a U-shaped bracket having an openingwidth slightly larger than the width of a section of the limb of the bowintended to be supported. The guide is attached to an upper aspect ofthe body.

The limb rest is comprised of a bed, a wall and a stop. The bed isadapted to support the limb of the bow. The bed is further adapted to bepivotally mounted to the body. Preferably, the bed is comprised of apair of extension arms for supporting the limb of the bow. The extensionarms are spaced apart such that they may simultaneously support thelimb. The extension arms are adapted to be pivotally mounted to thebody.

The bed is pivotally attached to the body. If the bed is a pair ofextension arms, the extension arms are pivotally attached to the body.

The wall projects substantially perpendicularly from the end of the bedwhich is distal to the body. Preferably, the bed is comprised of anupright arm projecting substantially perpendicularly from the end ofeach extension arm distal to the body. The wall should be shaped andsized such that a cam of the bow may pass through a plane defined by thewall and such that the limb of the bow may not pass through the planedefined by the wall when the limb of the bow is seated upon the bed. Ifthe wall is comprised of upright arms projecting from the extensionarms, as described, the upright arms are spaced apart such that a cam ofthe bow may pass through a plane defined by the upright arms and suchthat the limb of the bow may not pass through the plane defined by theupright arms when the limb of the bow is seated upon the extension arms.

The stop is attached to a lower aspect of the bed proximal to the body.Preferably, the bed is comprised of a pair of extension arms. The stopis attached such that the angle defined by the bed, or the extensionarms, and the upper aspect of the body is an acute angle when the stopcontacts the body.

The bow cradle may be attached to a base, a tree mount or an extensionmember. The base is comprised of a stem and a pair of pedals. The lowerend of the stem is pointed to facilitate insertion into a groundsurface. The upper end of the stem has a second mating end. As usedherein second mating ends mate with first mating ends. The second matingend of the stem is shaped and sized to mate with a member having a firstmating end. Thus, if the member having a first mating end is the body ofthe bow cradle, the second mating end of the stem is shaped and sized tomate with the first mating end of the body. Preferably, the outsidediameter portion of the second mating end of the upper end of the stemtightly fits within the inside diameter portion of the first mating endof the body. The pedals are hingedly attached to the upper end of thestem. This allows a user to apply a ground insertion force to the stemwith the user's foot. The lower end of the body is attached to the upperend of the stem such that the first mating end of the body on the lowerend of the body mates with the second mating end on the upper end of thestem.

The bow cradle may be mounted to a tree mount. A tree mount is comprisedof a flange and a mating number. The flange is adapted to be seated upona tree limb. The flange has a plurality of fastener openings forsecuring the flange upon the tree limb with fasteners. The fasteners maybe nails or screws, as well as other types of fasteners. The matingmember is perpendicularly attached to the flange. The distal end of themating member has a second mating end which is sized and shaped to matewith a member having a first mating end. Preferably, the mating memberis a pipe having an outside diameter portion which tightly and securelyfits within the first mating end of a body. Because the mating member isconfigured to have a second mating end which is sized and shaped to matewith a member having a first mating end, the mating member may also beattached to the first mating end of an extension member. When the bowcradle is used with a tree mount the lower end of the body is attachedto the distal end of the mating member such that the first mating end ofthe body on the lower end of the body mates with the second mating endon the distal end of the mating member.

When the bow cradle is directly attached to a base or a tree mount arelatively low bow holding position is established. The archer maydesire that the bow be positioned higher from the mounting surface,whether that surface be the ground or a tree limb. Higher bow holdingpositions may be obtained by installing one or more extension membersbetween the bow cradle and the base or tree mount. Each extension memberhas an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of each extension memberhas a second mating end. The second mating end is shaped and sized tomate with a member having a first mating end. The lower end of eachextension member has a first mating end shaped and sized to mate with amember having a second mating end. The member may be the body of a bowcradle, another extension member or the upper end of the stem of a base.The lower end of one extension member is attached to the upper end ofthe stem. The lower end of the body of the bow cradle is attached to asecond mating end of an extension member. If more than one extensionmember is used they are connected together at mating ends such that thecompleted extension member assembly has a second mating end at its upperend and a first mating end at its lower end.

A quiver may be attached to the extension member or extension members.Preferably, the quiver is releasably attached so that its use isoptional and so that it may be easily and quickly attached and removed.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an improved bow holder prior to theplacement of a bow within the bow holder.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the improved bow holder of FIG. 1after placement of a bow within the bow holder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an improved bow holder.

FIG. 4 is a broken away side elevation view of the improved bow holderof FIG. 2 showing the pivoting action of the limb rest of the bowholder.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bow cradle of the improved bowholder of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bow cradle of FIG. 5, without thebow, mounted to a tree.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bow cradle of FIG. 5, without thebow, mounted to a base.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the improved bow holder ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the improved bow holder and animproved bow cradle showing a bow removed from the cradle.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the improved the bow holder and theimproved bow cradle of FIG. 9 showing the bow inserted into the cradle.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the bow cradle of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the bow cradle of FIG. 11 whereinthe cradle has been rotated and locked into a different position.

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged side elevation view of the improved bowholder and the improved bow cradle of FIG. 10 showing several anglesthrough which the bow cradle may be rotated.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the improved bow cradle ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an assembled perspective view of the improved bow cradle ofFIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of an improved bow holder 26 is shown in FIG. 8. The bowholder 26 is intended to securely hold a bow 20 such that the bow is notcontaminated by water, mud or other debris on the ground and such thatthe bow 20 may be quickly retrieved for use. A typical compound bow 20is shown in FIG. 1. The bow 20 is comprised of a pair of limbs 22, twocams 24 and a bow string 25. A cam 24 is located at the distal end ofeach limb 22. The bow string 25 is attached to the cams 24 such that apulling force exerted on the bow string causes the limbs 22 to bend. Thebow holder 26 should be configured to securely receive a cam 24 of a bow20.

The lower limb 22 of the bow 20 is held by a bow cradle 28. The bowcradle can be attached to a base 58, an extension member 50 or a treemount 70. One embodiment of a bow cradle 28 is comprised of a body 30, aguide 36 and a limb rest 38. Preferably, the body 30 is fabricated froma malleable metallic pipe. The lower end of the body 30 has a firstmating end 32. The first mating end 32 is shaped and sized to mate witha member having a second mating end. The terms first mating end andsecond mating end are used to distinguish two types of mating endconfigurations wherein the first mating end is adapted to attach to asecond mating end. Preferably, the first mating end 32 of the body 30 isa circular opening at the lower end of the body 30 which is slightlylarger than the outside diameter of a second mating end 52, 62 82 of anextension member 50, the stem 60 of a base 58 or the mating member 80 ofa tree mount 70, respectively. The depth of the mated fit between thefirst mating end 32 of the body 30 and the second mating end of themember having a second mating end to which the body 30 is attached iscontrolled by reducing the inside diameter of the body 30 so thatpenetration is limited to a desired depth.

FIG. 1 shows the first mating end 32 of the body 30 press fit over thesecond mating end 52 of an extension member 50. FIG. 7 shows the firstmating end 32 of the body 30 press fit over the second mating end 62 ofthe stem 60 of a base 58. FIG. 6 shows the first mating end 32 of thebody 30 press fit over the second mating end 82 of a mating member 80 ofa tree mount 70. All three of these figures show the bottom of a pipeshaped body 30 fit over another pipe shaped member. Other types of firstmating ends and matching second mating ends may also be used. Forexample, the outside portion of the bottom of the body 30 may fit insideof a pipe shaped member having an inside diameter slightly larger thanthe outside diameter of the end of the body 30. The mating members maybe screwed together. The mating members may have mating ends which arekeyed to lock with each other.

The preferred embodiment of a bow cradle 28 is shown in FIGS. 10-15. Itis comprised of a body 30, a clamp bed 104, a pair of threaded openings108, a pair of flanges 110 and a pair of threaded L-shaped studs 118.The body 30 has at its lower end a first mating end 32. This firstmating end 32 is shaped and sized to mate with a member having a secondmating end, as described. The body 30 may be constructed from tubularsteel. It is in the form of a pipe. The body 30 has a pair of rotationalopenings 100 proximal to its upper end. The rotational openings 100 ofthe body 30 are aligned with each other, as shown in FIG. 14, in orderto facilitate the rotation of the clamp bed 104 about the axis of therotational pair of aligned openings 100. The body 30 also has a pair ofaligned stabilizing openings 102 proximal to its upper end. Thestabilizing openings 102 are positioned below the rotational openings100, as shown in FIG. 14. The stabilizing openings 102 facilitate thefixation of the orientation of the clamp bed 104 which is attached tothe body 30. A bolt 116 extends through a pair of stabilizing openings114 in each flange and also extends through the stabilizing openings 102of the body to fix the angular position of the clamp bed with respect tothe body 30.

The clamp bed 104 should be constructed from steel. It provides a baseupon which the limbs 22 of a bow 20 may rest. The clamp bed 104 providesa base upon which the limb 22 of a bow 20 may be clamped. It should benoted that during use the limb 22 of a bow 20 is stabilized in a fixedposition by the bow cradle 28, but nevertheless the bow 20 and limb 22are easily removable from the bow cradle 20 by simply sliding the limb20 laterally. The clamping action referred to is actually thestabilization of the bow 20 in the bow cradle 28 caused by gravity. Forhunting uses the bow 20 is not locked to the bow cradle 28. The clampbed 104 should have a layer of resilient material 106 affixed to itsupper surface. The resilient material 106 may be rubber. The resilientmaterial 106 will prevent a bow 20 limb 22 inserted into the bow cradle28 from being scratched or otherwise damaged. The resilient material 106also minimizes any noise caused by inserting and removing the bow 20from the bow cradle 28. This is an important feature while the device isbeing used during a hunting outing. At least one threaded opening 108 ispositioned along one side of the clamp bed 104. Preferably, a pair ofthe threaded openings 108 are positioned along the side of the clamp bed104, as shown in FIG. 14. There, the threaded openings 108 are formed bywelding a threaded nut to the clamp bed 104. The nut can be welded toeither side (top or bottom) of the clamp bed 104. The threaded openings108 facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the clamp bed 104and the sections of the L-shaped studs 118 which are parallel to theclamp bed 104.

The flanges 110 extend perpendicularly from the bottom side of the clampbed 104, as shown in FIG. 14. They may be fabricated from steel andwelded to the clamp bed 104. The flanges 110 are spaced apart such thatthe body 30 may fit between the flanges 110. Each flange 110 has arotational opening 112. This rotational opening 112 aligns with therotational pair of aligned openings 100 of the body 30. An axle such asa bolt is inserted through the rotational openings 112 of the flanges110 and the rotational openings 100 of the body 30 while all of saidopenings 112, 100 are aligned. Thus, an axis of rotation of the flanges110 about the body 30 is provided. This permits the bow cradle 28 to beangularly adjusted with respect to the body 30 so that a bow 20 withinthe bow cradle 28 may be aligned with its drawstring 25 perpendicular tothe ground. Each flange 110 also has a plurality of additionalstabilizing openings 114. The stabilizing openings 114 are positioned onthe flange 110 such that each stabilizing opening 114 of a flange 110 iscapable of aligning with the pair of aligned stabilized openings 102 ofthe body 30. This facilitates the setting of the orientation of theclamp bed 104 with respect to the body 30. When a desired orientation ofthe clamp bed 104 with respect to the body 30 is obtained a locking bolt116 is inserted through the flange stabilizing openings 114 and thealigned stabilized openings 102 of the body 30, as shown in FIG. 14 andFIG. 15. Multiple clamp bed 104/body 30 orientations are attainablebecause each flange 110 has multiple stabilizing openings 114. Theflanges 110 are rotationally attached to the body 30 such that theflanges 30 rotate about the rotational openings 112 of the flanges 110and the body 30. The rotational attachment is provided by a bolt. Thus,the flanges 110 are capable of being locked into a fixed position whenthe locking bolt 116 is inserted through a pair of aligned stabilizingopenings 114 of the flanges 110 and a pair of stabilizing openings 102of the body 30.

The preferred embodiment of the improved bow cradle 28 incorporates apair of threaded L-shaped studs 118. The bow cradle 28 will alsofunction with only one L-shaped stud 118. The L-shaped studs 118 arethreaded at one end. The threads 120 are shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.The threads 120 match the threads of the threaded openings 108 of theclamp bed. The threads 120 of each L-shaped stud 118 are threaded into athreaded opening 108 of the clamp bed 104. The studs 118 are sized andshaped to releasably clamp a limb 22 of a bow 20 between the studs 118and the clamp bed 104.

The studs 118 form a channel between the studs 118 and the clamp bed104. This channel secures the bow 20 into a stable position. The channelalso permits the bow 20 to be inserted and removed from the channelwithout the necessity of readjusting the position of the L-shaped studs118 with respect to the clamp bed 104 by threading or unthreading theL-shaped studs 118 with respect to the threaded openings 108 of theclamp bed 104. This invention also includes channel configurations sizedand shaped to releasably clamp a limb 22 of a bow 20 onto the clamp bed104. Such alternative channels by definition have an opening whichfunctions the same as the lateral opening between the L-shaped studs 118and the clamp bed, as shown in FIG. 14. The limb 22 of a bow 20 may beinserted and withdrawn from the channel.

Under normal use the L-shaped studs 118 will be positionally adjusted byway of rotating their threads 120 such that the limb 22 of a bow 20 maybe inserted and removed without readjusting the studs 118. In otherwords, normally the studs 118 do not lock the bow 20 to the bow cradle28. However, in some circumstances it may be desirable to lock the bow20 to the bow cradle 28. For example, it may be desirable to secure abow 20 to a bow cradle 28 in a sporting goods store so that customersmay not remove the bow 20 from the bow cradle 28. Under normal use, theforce of gravity will retain the bow 20 within a stable position withinthe bow cradle 28.

The L-shaped studs 118 should have a layer of resilient material 122affixed to the bow limb contacting section of each stud 118, as shown inFIG. 14. Preferably, said sections of the studs 118 are covered withrubber. This will prevent the bow cradle 28 from damaging a bow 20secured within it. The resilient coating 122 also provides an enhancedgrip between the bow cradle 28 and the bow 20. The resilient coating 112also minimizes any noise caused by inserting and removing the bow 20from the bow cradle 28. This is an important feature while the device isbeing used during a hunting outing.

The described preferred improved bow cradle 28 may be attached to aground mounting base or a tree mount, as described. The bow holder 26and improved bow cradle 28 may also be equipped with a quiver, asdescribed.

In the first, but not preferred, embodiment of the bow cradle 26, theguide 36 is shaped and sized to receive and securely hold a limb 22 ofthe bow 20. Preferably, the guide 36 is a U-shaped bracket fabricatedfrom malleable metal rod. The inside width of the U-shaped bracket isslightly larger than the width of the lower limb 22 of the bow 20intended to be supported. The guide 36 is attached to an upper aspect ofthe body 30. The plane of the guide 36 formed by the three branches ofthe U-shaped bracket should form an acute angle with the circularcross-section of the body 30, as shown in FIG. 2. This will facilitatesecurely holding of the bow 20. The guide 36 should be welded to thebody 30. In order to provide a flat surface on the upper end of the body30 for mounting the guide 36, the upper end of the body 30 should beflattened. The flattened portion can also be bent away from thelongitudinal axis of the body 30 to facilitate different mounting anglesfor the guide 36.

The limb rest 38 is comprised of a pair of extension arms 42, a pair ofupright arms 46 and a stop 48. The extension arms 42, the upright arms46 and the stop 48 may be fabricated from malleable metal rod. Theextension arms 42 form a bed 40 for supporting the limb 22 of the bow20. The extension arms 42 are spaced apart such that they maysimultaneously support the limb 22, as shown in FIG. 5. The extensionarms 42 are adapted to be pivotally mounted to the body 30. This isaccomplished by positioning a pair of holes 34 within the body 30 forreceiving the extension arms 42, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.Those figures depict a pair of extension arms 42 formed from a singlepiece of malleable metal rod. The rod is inserted through the holes 34within the body 30 and then bent to form the pair of extension arms 42.Thus, the extension arms 42 are pivotally attached to the body 30.

An upright arm 46 projects substantially perpendicularly from the end ofeach extension arm 42 distal to the body 30. The upright arms 46 arespaced apart such that a cam 24 of the bow 20 may pass through a planedefined by the upright arms 46, and such that the limb 22 of the bow 20may not pass through a plane defined by the upright arms 46 when thelimb 22 of the bow is seated upon the extension arms 42, as shown inFIG. 5. The upright arms 46 form a wall 44 which prevents the limb 22 ofthe bow 20 from sliding along the extension arms 42 and away from thebody 30. Thus, the wall 44 formed by the upright arms 46 prevents thebow 20 from falling off of the extension arms 42.

The stop 48 is attached to a lower aspect of the extension arms proximalto the body 30, as shown in FIG. 5. The stop 48 may be fabricated bybending a malleable metal rod into a U-shaped configuration and weldingit to the extension arms 42, as shown in FIG. 5. The stop 48 is attachedto the extension arms 42 such that the angle defined by the extensionarms 42 and the upper aspect side of the body 30 is an acute angle whenthe stop 48 contacts the body, as shown in FIG. 4.

The improved bow holder 26 may have one or more extension members 50between the bow cradle 28 and the base 58. The bow cradle 28 may beattached directly to the second mating end 62 of the stem 60 of a base58, or it may be attached directly to the second mating end 82 of themating member 80 of a tree mount 70. Both of these configurationsprovide a low bow holding position. The extension members 50 are used toraise the bow holding position by raising the position of the limb rest38. Each extension member 50 has a second mating end 52 at its upperend. The second mating end 52 is shaped and sized to mate with a memberhaving a first mating end 32, 54, as previously described. Eachextension member 50 has a first mating end 54 at its lower end. Thefirst mating end 54 is shaped and sized to mate with a member having asecond mating end 52, 82, as previously described. The extension members50 may be fabricated from malleable metallic pipe. Preferably, themating ends 52, 54 of the extension members 50 consist of inside andoutside pipe diameters which fit together, as previously described.

The base 58 is comprised of a stem 60 and a pair of pedals 66.Preferably, the stem 60 is fabricated from a metal rod having a pointedend 64 at its lower end. The pointed end 64 is inserted into the groundduring use. The upper end of the stem 60 has a second mating end 62. Thesecond mating end 62 is shaped and sized to mate with a member having afirst mating end 32, 54, as previously described. Preferably, the secondmating end 62 is fabricated from malleable metallic pipe. The secondmating end 62 should be configured so that it may be press fit into thefirst mating end 32 of the body 30, or, the first mating end 54 of anextension member 50. However, other mating combinations may be used, aspreviously described.

The pedals 66 are hingedly attached to the stem 60, as shown in FIG. 7and FIG. 8. The pedals 66 fold between an upright position, as shown bythe phantom pedals 66 in FIG. 7 and a horizontal position as shown bythe non-phantom pedals 66 in FIG. 7. Because the pedals 66 arephysically limited from going below the horizontal plane, they may beused to apply a ground insertion force to the stem 60 by the userstepping on one or both pedals 66. The pedals 66 may be fabricated fromsteel. Preferably, the pedals 66 are fabricated into rectangular forms,as shown in FIG. 7. A hinge 68 is used to connect each pedal 66 to thestem 60.

Each pedal 66 may be hingedly attached to the stem 60 in the followingmanner. Two nuts are attached to one of the shorter peripheral edges ofthe pedal 66. A nut is attached to the stem 60. The nuts are alignedsuch that a threaded bolt may be inserted through each nut and such thatthe longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt forms a hinge axis for thepedal 66. The nuts are secured to each other by inserting a threadedbolt through each nut. The threaded bolt is fixed to the two nutsattached to the pedal 66, but allowed to rotate within the nut attachedto the stem 60, thereby forming a pedal hingedly attached to the stem60.

If one or more extension members 50 are used to raise the bow holdingposition, the lower end of one extension member 50 is attached to theupper end of the stem 60. Preferably, the lower end of another extensionmember 50 is attached to the upper end of the extension member 50 whichis attached to the stem 60. When one or more extension members 50 areused the body 30 of the bow cradle 28 is attached to the second matingend 52 of the uppermost extension member 50. Otherwise, if a base 58without extension members 50 is used, the lower end of the body 30 ofthe bow cradle 28 is attached to the second mating end 62 of the stem60. If a tree mount 70 is used without extension members 50, the lowerend of the body 30 of the bow cradle 28 is attached to the second matingend 82 of the mating member 80 of the tree mount 70. Extension members50 may also be used between a tree mount 70 and a bow cradle 28.

A quiver 84 may be attached to one or more extension members 50, asshown in FIG. 8. The quiver 84 permits arrows to be held in closeproximity to a bow 20 supported by the improved bow holder 26.Preferably, the quiver 84 is releasably attached to at least oneextension member 50. This will allow the quiver 84 to be attached anddetached quickly and easily. The preferred quiver 84 is comprised of anupper frame 86, a lower frame 90 and a cloth basket 94. The upper frame86 should be fabricated from malleable metal rod. It should be formed asa rectangle with two mounting prongs 88. The mounting prongs 88 of theupper frame 86 are adapted to fit within quiver frame mounting holes 56within an extension member 50. The lower frame 90 should also befabricated from malleable metal rod. It should also be formed as arectangle with two mounting prongs 92. The mounting prongs 92 of thelower frame 90 are adapted to fit within quiver frame mounting holes 56within an extension member 50. Preferably, the upper frame 86 mountingholes 56 are within an upper extension member 50 and the lower frame 90mounting holes 56 are within a lower extension member 50. A cloth basket94 is attached to the lower frame 90. The upper frame 86, the lowerframe 90 and the cloth basket 94 form a container for holding arrows.The lower frame 90 and the upper frame 86 should be spaced apart suchthat the quiver 84 may securely hold a plurality of arrows.

The bow cradle 28 may be used with a tree mount 70 in a tree. The treemount 70 mounts to a tree limb 72 and is attachable to the bow cradle28. A tree mount 70 is comprised of a flange 74 and a mating member 80.The flange 74 is adapted to be seated upon a tree limb 72. The flange 74has a plurality of fastener openings 76. The fastener openings 76 areadapted to secure the flange 74 upon a tree limb 72 with fasteners 78,such as nails or screws. The fastener openings 76 may consist of aplurality of openings adapted to receive nails or screws, as shown inFIG. 6. Preferably, the flange 74 has four fastener openings 76. Thefastener openings 76 may be nail holes or screw holes. The fasteneropenings 76 may also be slots opening into the external periphery of theflange 74. The size of the fastener openings 76 should be sufficientlylarge to permit fastener stems to pass through, yet be sufficientlysmall to prevent fastener heads from passing through.

The components of the alternate embodiment of the improved bow holder 26should have approximately the following dimensions and materialspecifications. However, it must be emphasized that this invention isnot limited to these dimensions and materials and other embodiments ofthe invention may have significantly different dimensions and materials.The extension arms 42, the stop 48, the upright arms 46 and the guide 36may be fabricated from ¼″ steel rod. The preferred extension arm 42length is 5¼″. The preferred upright arm 46 length is 1¼″. The preferredguide 36 opening is 2 inches with 1 inch branches on the U-shapedstructure. The preferred angle between the guide 36 and a horizontalplane coinciding with the cross-section of the body 30 is 30°. Thepreferred distance between the guide 36 and the extension arms 42 is 7inches. The preferred inside diameter of the first mating end 32 of thebody 30 is 9/16″. ⅝″ outside diameter pipe may be used for the body 30.The second of mating ends 52, 62, 82 of the extension member 50, thestem 60 of the base 58 and the mating member 80 of the tree mount 70should have outside diameters of 17/32″. The preferred length of theextension members 50 is 10½″. The preferred penetration depth of secondmating ends 52, 62 82 into first mating ends 32, 54 is ⅝″. The preferreddistance between the upper frame 86 of the quiver 84 and the lower frame90 of the quiver 84 is 14 inches. The preferred angle between theextension arms 42 and the upper aspect of the body 30 when the stop 48contacts the body 30 is 55°.

In order to use the improved bow holder 26 in a standing position, thebow cradle 28, two extension members 50 and the base 58 are assembledtogether, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. Optionally, a quiver 84 may beattached to the extension members 50. The pedals 66 of the base areunfolded and foot pressure is used to insert the stem 60 into theground. A first extension member 50 is attached to the second mating end62 of the stem 60. In the preferred embodiment the second mating end 62of the stem 60 is inserted into the first mating end 54 of the firstextension member 50 and held together by a press fit. Similarly, thesecond extension member 50 is attached to the first extension member 50.In the preferred embodiment, the second mating end of the firstextension member 50 is inserted into the first mating end 54 of thesecond extension member 50 and held together by a press fit. The bowcradle 28 is attached to the second extension member 50. In thepreferred embodiment, the second mating end of the second extensionmember 50 is inserted into the first mating end 32 of the body 30 of thebow cradle 28 and held together by a press fit.

In order to use the improved bow cradle 28 the L-shaped studs 118 areinserted into the threaded openings 108 of the clamp bed 104 andadjusted. The studs 118 are adjusted such that a bow 20 being secured bythe bow cradle 28 is held in place when vertically oriented; yet iseasily removed when desired. The angle of the clamp bed 104 with respectto the body 30 (and also the ground) is set by adjusting the clamp bed104 into a desired position and locking the clamp bed 104 into thatposition by inserting the locking bolt 116 through the alignedstabilizing openings 114 of the flanges 110 and the stabilizing openings102 of the body 30. When the angle of the clamp bed 104 is set into atypical use position, the longitudinal axis of the arrow propellingsection of the drawstring 25 of a bow 20 secured by the bow holder 26 isperpendicular to the plane of the ground when the stem 60 is verticallyinserted into the ground. This is shown in FIG. 10. Many different sizesand types of bows 20, including parallel limb bows, may be used with theimproved bow holder 26 and the preferred embodiment of the bow cradle28. The adjustability of the L-shaped studs 118 permits the bow cradle28 to be adapted to a large variety of geometrical configurations of bowlimbs. The adjustability of the angle of the clamp bed 104 furtherincreases this adaptability. The preferred bow cradle 28 is capable ofsecuring virtually all bows currently being marketed.

If the first described embodiment of the bow cradle 28 is used, the limbrest 38 is unfolded such that the stop 48 contacts the body 30. Thelower limb 22 of the bow 20 is placed within the guide 36 and seatedupon the extension arms 42 of the limb rest 38 so that the cam 24attached to the limb 22 protrudes through the space between the uprightarms, as shown in FIG. 5.

A hunter may assemble the improved bow holder 26 and insert it into theground of a hunting field. After a bow 20 is placed within the bowcradle 28, the hunter may easily stand behind the supported bow 20 andawait the arrival of a hunted animal. Once the hunted animal arrives thehunter may grasp the bow 20 with very little physical movement andprepare to shoot an arrow. The ability to grasp the bow 20 and shoot anarrow with very little physical movement by the hunter provides ahunting advantage because the hunted animal is much less likely tonotice the hunter and quickly flee. Arrows may be conveniently storedwithin the quiver 84.

If the hunter desires to hunt from a lower position, the bow cradle 28may be used with only one extension member 50. If the hunter desires toground hunt from a seated position, the bow cradle 28 may be attacheddirectly to the base 58. If the hunter desires to hunt from a tree, atree mount 70 is attached to a tree limb 72 by nailing or screwing thetree mount flange 74 to the tree limb 72. The bow cradle 28 is thenattached to the second mating end 82 of the mating member 80 of theflange 74. The bow cradle 28 position may be raised by using one or moreextension members 50. A quiver 84 may also be attached to the extensionmembers 50 when the improved bow holder 26 is used within a tree.

The improved bow holder 26 may also be used in a target shootingsetting. There, an archer intends to shoot arrows at a target, ratherthan at hunted animals. The same procedure described above is used toconfigure the bow cradle 28 to support the archer's bow 20 in a low,intermediate or high position.

After the hunter is done hunting or the archer is done target shootingthe improved bow holder 26 components may be quickly and easilydisassembled. The bow cradle 28 is removed from the extension member 50,the base 58 or the tree mount 72 to which it is attached by pulling thecomponents apart. If a quiver 84 is used, the upper frame 86 and thelower frame 90 are removed. If the alternate embodiment of the bowcradle 28 is used, the limb rest 38 is folded such that it issubstantially parallel to the body 30 of the bow cradle. Any extensionmembers 50 used are separated from the components to which they areattached by pulling them apart. The base 58 is removed from the groundby pulling it out. The pedals 66 of the base 58 are folded such thatthey are substantially parallel to the stem 60. If a tree mount 70 isused it may be left in the tree for later use, or it may be removed. Thedisassembled components should be stored in a small pouch. The pouch maybe attached to the user's belt. In this way the components of theimproved bow holder 26 may be easily carried by a user.

The improved bow holder 26 has many advantages. It can be mounted on theground or upon a tree limb. It holds and keeps a bow 20 elevated abovethe ground or a tree limb 72 upon which it is mounted. Its height isadjustable so that an archer can use the bow holder 26 while sitting,standing or squatting. It is easy to store. It is lightweight and takesup minimal space. It can be quickly assembled. It may also be equippedwith a quiver 84 for holding arrows.

The preferred bow cradle 28 has additional advantages. It will functionwith virtually all bows currently on the market. The angle of the clampbed 104 is adjustable so that a vertical bow alignment is easilyobtained. The bow removal and insertion process is silent. The bow isunlikely to be scratched her damaged by the bow cradle 28.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art undoubtedly willfind alternative embodiments obvious after reading this disclosure. Withthis in mind, the following claims are intended to define the scope ofprotection to be afforded the inventor, and those claims shall be deemedto include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 A bow cradle for supporting a bow, said bow cradle comprising: (a) abody having at its lower end a first mating end shaped and sized to matewith a member having a second mating end; (b) a clamp bed for clampingthe bottom of a bow limb; (c) wherein the clamp bed is pivotallyattached to the body; (d) wherein the clamp bed is adapted to bereleasably locked to the body such that a fixed angle between the clampbed and the body may be set; and (e) a channel attached to the clampbed, said channel being sized and shaped to releasably clamp a limb of abow onto the clamp bed.
 2. A bow cradle for supporting a bow, said bowcradle comprising: (a) a body having at its lower end a first mating endshaped and sized to mate with a member having a second mating end; (b) aclamp bed for clamping the bottom of a bow limb; (c) wherein the clampbed is pivotally attached to the body; (d) wherein the clamp bed isadapted to be releasably locked to the body such that a fixed anglebetween the clamp bed and the body may be set; and (e) at least oneL-shaped stud attached to the clamp bed such that the limb of a bow maybe releasably clamped between the at least one stud and the clamp bed.
 3. The bow cradle for supporting a bow of claim 2, further comprising:(a) a stem, having a lower end which is pointed for insertion into aground surface and an upper end having a second mating end shaped andsized to mate with a member having a first mating end; (b) wherein thelower end of the body is attached to the upper end of the stem such thatthe first mating end of the body on the lower end of the body mates withthe second mating end on the upper end of the stem.
 4. The bow cradlefor supporting a bow of claim 2, further comprising: (a) a tree mountcomprising: (i) a flange adapted to be seated upon a tree standstructure, said flange having a plurality of fastener openings forsecuring the flange to the tree stand structure with fasteners; and (ii)a mating member perpendicularly attached to the flange, the distal endof said mating member having a second mating end shaped and sized tomate with a member having a first mating end; (b) wherein the lower endof the body is attached to the distal end of the mating member such thatthe first mating end of the body on the lower end of the body mates withthe second mating end on the distal end of the mating member.
 5. A bowcradle for supporting a bow, said bow cradle comprising: (a) a bodyhaving at its lower end a first mating end shaped and sized to mate witha member having a second mating end, said body having a pair of alignedrotational openings proximal to its upper end for facilitating rotationof a clamp bed about the axis of the rotational pair of alignedopenings, and said body having a pair of aligned stabilizing openingsproximal to its upper end for facilitating the fixation of theorientation of a clamp bed attached to the body; (b) a clamp bed forclamping the bottom of a bow limb; (c) at least one threaded openingpositioned along one side of the clamp bed; (d) a pair of flangesperpendicularly extending from a bottom side of the clamp bed, saidflanges being spaced apart such that the body may fit between theflanges, each said flange having a rotational opening which aligns withthe rotational pair of aligned openings of the body for providing anaxis of rotation of the flanges about the body, each said flange havinga plurality of additional stabilizing openings wherein one stabilizingopening on each flange is capable of aligning with the pair of alignedstabilizing openings of the body for facilitating the setting of theorientation of the clamp bed with respect to the body; (e) wherein theflanges are rotationally attached to the body such that the flangesrotate about the rotational openings of the flanges and the body; (f)wherein the flanges are adapted to be locked into a fixed position whena bolt is inserted through a pair of aligned stabilizing openings of theflanges and the pair of stabilizing openings of the body; and (g) atleast one threaded L-shaped stud, the threads of said at least one studmatching the threads of the at least one threaded opening of the clampbed, said at least one stud being threaded into a threaded opening ofthe clamp bed, said at least one stud being sized and shaped toreleasably clamp a limb of a bow between the at least one stud and theclamp bed.
 6. The bow cradle for supporting a bow of claim 5, furthercomprising: (a) a layer of resilient material affixed to the uppersurface of the clamp bed; and (b) a layer of resilient material affixedto the bow limb contacting section of the at least one L-shaped stud. 7.The bow cradle for supporting a bow of claim 5, further comprising: (a)a base comprising: (i) a stem, having a lower end which is pointed forinsertion into a ground surface and an upper end having a second matingend shaped and sized to mate with a member having a first mating end;and (ii) a pair of pedals hingedly attached to the upper end of the stemfor allowing ground insertion force to be applied to the stem; (b)wherein the lower end of the body is attached to the upper end of thestem such that the first mating end of the body on the lower end of thebody mates with the second mating end on the upper end of the stem. 8.The bow cradle for supporting a bow of claim 5, further comprising: (a)a tree mount comprising: (i) a flange adapted to be seated upon a treestand structure, said flange having a plurality of fastener openings forsecuring the flange to the tree stand structure with fasteners; and (ii)a mating member perpendicularly attached to the flange, the distal endof said mating member having a second mating end shaped and sized tomate with a member having a first mating end; (b) wherein the lower endof the body is attached to the distal end of the mating member such thatthe first mating end of the body on the lower end of the body mates withthe second mating end on the distal end of the mating member.
 9. Animproved bow holder for supporting a bow, said bow holder comprising:(a) a bow cradle comprising: (i) a body having at its lower end a firstmating end shaped and sized to mate with a member having a second matingend, said body having a pair of aligned rotational openings proximal toits upper end for facilitating rotation of a clamp bed about the axis ofthe rotational pair of aligned openings, and said body having a pair ofaligned stabilizing openings proximal to its upper end for facilitatingthe fixation of the orientation of a clamp bed attached to the body;(ii) a clamp bed for clamping the bottom of a bow limb; (iii) a pair ofthe threaded openings positioned along one side of the clamp bed; (iv) apair of flanges perpendicularly extending from a bottom side of theclamp bed, said flanges being spaced apart such that the body may fitbetween the flanges, each said flange having a rotational opening whichaligns with the rotational pair of aligned openings of the body forproviding an axis of rotation of the flanges about the body, each saidflange having a plurality of additional stabilizing openings wherein onestabilizing opening on each flange is capable of aligning with the pairof aligned stabilizing openings of the body for facilitating the settingof the orientation of the clamp bed with respect to the body; (v)wherein the flanges are rotationally attached to the body such that theflanges rotate about the rotational openings of the flanges and thebody; (vi) wherein the flanges are capable of being locked into a fixedposition when a bolt is inserted through a pair of aligned stabilizingopenings of the flanges and the pair of stabilizing openings of thebody; and (vii) a pair of threaded L-shaped studs, the threads of saidstuds matching the threads of the threaded openings of the clamp bed,each of said studs being threaded into a threaded opening of the clampbed, at least one of said studs being sized and shaped to releasablyclamp a limb of a bow between the studs and the clamp bed; (b) a basecomprising: (i) a stem, having a lower end which is pointed forinsertion into a ground surface and an upper end having a second matingend shaped and sized to mate with a member having a first mating end;and (ii) a pair of pedals hingedly attached to the upper end of the stemfor allowing ground insertion force to be applied to the stem; (iii)wherein the lower end of one extension member is attached to the upperend of the stem; wherein the lower end of the body of the bow cradle isattached to a second mating end of an extension member; and (iv) whereinthe bow cradle, the body, and the base are oriented such that thelongitudinal axis of the of the arrow propelling section of thedrawstring of a bow secured by the bow holder is perpendicular to theplane of the ground when the stem is vertically inserted into theground.
 10. The improved bow holder for supporting a bow of claim 9,further comprising a quiver attached to the at least one extensionmember.
 11. The improved bow holder for supporting a bow of claim 10,wherein the quiver is releasably attached to the at least one extensionmember.